The Solarize Delta County Farms program is officially in full-swing! Empowered Energy Systems, the program’s partner solar installation company, got to work on Wednesday, May 24 installing the first system of the program, which launched April 18 and will continue through July 18.

Solarize Delta County Farms is a community-powered outreach program presented by Solar Energy International aimed at educating home, farm and business-owners on how to go solar. The program offers a tiered rebate system, so if more community members go solar, there will be a higher discount on equipment costs for systems. The program also offers a streamlined process to go solar including a no-cost, no-commitment on-site property assessment from the installers.  

The first installation of the program was a 4.6 kW roof-mounted system for Solarize program participant, Daniel Larcker.

“It looks great,” he said. “It’s always exciting to get closer to net-zero consumption.”  Larcker said he initially became interested in solar during the program last year. “The installers have been really helpful and quick,” he added.

Empowered Energy Systems installer, Joseph James Riggs, commented on his experience working with the Solarize program. “The Solarize program has been one of the best economic stimulants that I’ve seen in this valley,” he said.

Solarize Delta County Farms is the third and final round of Solarize, community members can register to participate online until July 18, or register at one of Solarize’s many upcoming educational events. The Solarize Team will be hosting a documentary viewing at the Paradise Theater in Paonia on May 12, and a solar financing workshop in Paonia on June 21.

Interested community members can view the full calendar, or sign up for the program at https://www.solarenergy.org/solarize-delta-county-farms/. The Solarize Team can be contacted with any questions at 970-527-7657 x 213 or at solarize@solarenergy. org.